r. Radan, obviously there is not even the slightest need for you to listen to the successor Lord’s crazy talk.”
Vendel was desperate.
In fact, he wasn’t interested in who Radan was.
He didn’t believe in prophecies, he only came to the western continent because of the special benefits he was promised, and because it was obvious that Ozdin’s efforts were in vain.
He felt sorry for Ozdin, who had truly believed the words of the wandering seer that had suddenly appeared out of the blue seven years ago. So he thought he would be consoling Ozdin when ‘Radan’ didn’t appear.
But truly, just as predicted, ‘Radan’ was there.
Now, this poor man has become ‘Radan’.
It was pitiable, this man nearly died after drowning, lost his memory, and the person who saved his life turned out to be a pervert who asked him to marry him in return.
Vendel said sincerely.
“Our successor Lord, have you not realized that there is something very strange about your situation. You have so much money and good looks on top of that, yet you’re still unmarried. Do you know why that is?”
“…… no.”
“It’s because, despite your exceptional good looks and abundant wealth, you’re an unacceptable weirdo¹! You have no common sense, you show no consideration, and you never listen to anyone! It means you’re an aristocrat² who believes that the entire world revolves around him. To marry this kind of person!? And two men too! Without a doubt, never, never even consider such a thing. You’ll do this until to your heart’s content, and then you’ll abandon him wretchedly on a whim. No, think about it using common sense. To get married to someone who doesn’t know their own face! Does that make sense?”
Radan spoke with difficulty.
“If I go to Amboia…… does that mean we have to get married?”
“No! Of course not, but our scion Lord is a nobleman, so he will insist on it! Please consider this carefully. Amboia is very far away. If you have a family here who is desperately looking for you Mr. Radan…… then what then? Mr. Radan, isn’t it more important for you to recover your memories than to go to Amboia?”
“… …”
Radan did not readily answer and fiddled with his blindfold instead.
Vendel looked at his pitiful figure.
He didn’t understand.
In truth, he should be suspicious of Radan too. They did not know who Radan was. They didn’t even know if he really was a prophetic figure. Maybe it was just a coincidence. But why does he feel such pity when he looks at Radan?
Vendel had been with the Gett⁴ for a long time, and he was accustomed to seeing people through the eyes of a tradesman. The priority was to determine how much profit or loss the opponent would bring.
But it was impossible with Radan.
When he looked at him, his heart moved first, and he retreated without realizing it.
He wanted to take care of him if possible. He wanted to do right by him.
So it made it even more impossible to trust Ozdin’s proposal.
Fundamentally speaking, Ozdin is an emotional person who acts impulsively, he probably felt it much more intensively than Vendel did. However, that’s only a feeling, and it’s not what love is.
It was a foolish thing to believe that the momentary feelings would last for a long time, let alone support what married men did to each other.
Ozdin was definitely the type of man who would say within a few days, “After all, I like women. I’m sorry, but let’s pretend marriage didn’t take place. Don’t worry, I’ll give you plenty of money.”
“I think it will be frustrating with his blindfold. Since the Seer said openly that he didn’t know who he was, would he even need to use it if he isn’t the prophesied person?
“Oh, it’s okay.”
Radan’s reply was very firm for a man who lost his memory and was confused.
“Isn’t it uncomfortable?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Vendel shook his head in regret.
“Well then…… maybe he’s been using it for a while. Perhaps Mr. Radan is blind or something like that. However, aside from that, you have to find your family. And we have to figure out why Mr. Radan fell into the river.”
“It’s okay if I don’t know.”
It was a resolute answer.
After hearing Vendel’s words, Radan became more determined.
He didn’t remember, but his heart knew.
That he must leave, and go far away.
Everything else didn’t matter. Perhaps there was something so painful that he didn’t want to think about it again.
So it was okay to forget.
“I’m sure you’re aware that marriage..….doesn’t make sense. So Mr. Ozdin should think about it more”
“Woah, that’s not necessary.”
Suddenly, Ozdin’s voice was heard and Vendel jumped from his seat.
It had been less than an hour since Ozdin went out to do business. Before taking Radan to Amboia, he had to inquire about the whereabouts of the Prophet Hadir. Usually, it was Vendel who would be the one taking care of that, but today Ozdin was motivated and decided to do it on his own.
How could he stab him in the back³ as soon as he left him alone? As expected, he was truly unbelievable!
“Did you take care of all of your business? What about the Doctor?”
Ozdin ignored Vendel’s words and came to the bedside where Radan was lying.
“Kik-kik.”
Zorg, who was riding on Ozdin’s shoulder, quickly approached and fell into Radan’s arm.
“This guy. Coveting my bride. I can’t tolerate that.”
Ozdin grabbed Zorg and threw him at Vendel. Zorg rebelled against it, Screeching, and Vendel wrinkled his nose.
“Do not use it as a pretext for animal cruelty!. Aren’t you just getting back at Zorg for chewing your nails yesterday?”
“I mean it.”
Ozdin looked so serious that Vendel was even more surprised.
“Um, yes? I beg your pardon?”
“You seem to think that I will change my mind over time, but that won’t happen, because I’m serious.”
Vendel opened his mouth.
Zorg was beside Vendel and mimicked his expression.
“….. So, what about the monkey?”
“In a bad mood.”
”…….”
The reason Vendel was surprised was that Ozdin had a really serious expression on his face. It was very rare for him to come out like this, without a smirk and with a serious disposition.
“Radan.”
“…… Yes.”
The sound of Ozdin’s call made Radan nervous.
“I am serious. The only thing you have to worry about in our fate is whether you can be true-hearted. Do you know what I’m talking about?”
“No…… sorry.”
Radan didn’t know who Ozdin was.
He thought he was a good man, but he knew that marriage was a different matter altogether.
“Um, that’s too decisive. Then should I say this? You must be my bride, right now.”
Vendel sighed.
“Successor Lord! Oh, really now! Please listen to what others have to say, alright? The way ordinary people think, including Mr. Radan, is very different from your weird ways of thinking! For a man whose body is still weak, this is nothing short of thug tactics, alright!”
Ozdin wasn’t playing around.
While trying to inquire about the whereabouts of the Prophet Hadir, he received unexpected news.
“The Imperial Army is roaming the streets. The atmosphere is different from three days ago. They said they were looking for someone.”
“What? No, so what about the Imperial Army? Their war has nothing to do with Amboia anyway. In the wake of war, the supply chain will become more and more important. No one on this continent would harm a person from the Gett unless they were an idiot.”
His emotions were like a shallow stream and were near the surface as he looked at Radan.
“He said that his eyes can’t be seen. A nineteen-year-old boy with dark hair, and may also be wearing a blindfold. He said that his eyes should be covered, but that his beautiful face is beautiful.”
“Uh, that…… that…… ?”
Vendel and Zorg’s mouths opened as they looked at Radan. Only a fool wouldn’t know what Ozdin was talking about.
Radan was the person the Imperial Army was looking for.
“The bounty is enormous. He must have committed some terrible crime. Everyone is desperately looking for him. The ‘Wanted Order’ has been spread throughout the entire continent under Ibeden’s domination. What I mean is, it’s not just here, but everywhere else as well.”
His body stiffened.
Radan didn’t say anything and just exhaled.
“So did he run away from the Imperial Army and fall into the river?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Radan. Do you remember what you did?” asked Vendel.
“I’m…… ”
Radan, who had been trying to say something, gave up and dropped his head.
He didn’t remember why.
He couldn’t remember anything from before to even make up any excuses.
He wanted to run away.
There was a reason he wanted to run away.
It must be such a great and heavy burden, something so egregious to make him want to forget his past.
Radan could not deny anything at all.
“Well, this is truly a problem. No matter how influential the Gett merchants may be, it won’t be enough to cover up for a criminal wanted by the Empire. What can we do about this?”
Vendel’s difficult words reached his ears. Radan thought it was time to part with them.
Although he couldn’t accurately estimate what the Imperial Army searching for him would be like, he knew that it would be impossible for him to continue accompanying them.
“Then I’m going to……,”
Ozdin cut Radan’s words off.
“So in conclusion, you are going to be my bride.”
“…..What? No, are you going to keep going on about that?”
“There is no other way.”
Ozdin started placing things on Radan’s lap.
“Clothes, wigs, shoes, jewelry. This will make you the perfect bride.”
Vendel looked at Ozdin, and Zorg tapped his forehead with his tiny hand.
“So, you’re going to have Mr. Radan disguise himself as a woman to deceive the Imperial Army? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Isn’t that perfect? I get a bride, and Radan gets to leave the continent safely. That is why we are destined to be.”
“Don’t continue to attach that to it, please. However, that’s, um……I mean, it doesn’t seem like a bad way to do it actually, however, ….. Uhm. Mr. Radan, how do you feel about it?”
Radan bit his lip.
“You can’t.”
“Ah, I knew it. Cross-dressing is too repugnant. Please forgive The Lord for his short-sightedness. I’m sure he was just excited to have an excuse to buy this and that. You don’t have to consider it. Truly.”
That wasn’t the reason.
“You don’t know….. what crimes I have committed. I don’t know either. I mean…”
“That’s not a reason.”
Ozdin interrupted Radan.
He approached with great strides and grabbed Radan’s hand. He rummaged through his pocket with his other hand, pulled out a ring with a sparkling sapphire, and placed it on Radan’s finger.
It was a ring so large that it was heavy on his finger.
Ozdin put on the ring that looked like something out of a fairy tale book and kissed it when it was on his finger.
It was a ridiculously chivalrous attitude. So it was hard to tell if it was a joke or the truth.
“I’m not such a terrible man that I cannot tolerate my bride’s past. You must believe in your destiny a little more.”
Ozdin let go of Radan’s hand. He winked towards the blindfolded Radan.
“And I want to believe that you are also a generous bride as well. Could you put up with this ugly ring a little bit longer? It’s the only thing available in a small town marketplace. I promise you, if you go to Amboia, I will give you the best ring in the world.”
“… ….”
Radan shrugged the hand that Ozdin had held. The unreasonably heavy ring held an unfamiliar weight. It was the first time he discovered that a ring could be such a heavy object.
“I…….aren’t you scared?”
Ozdin grinned.
“Not at all.”
“I don’t even know what I did…… I don’t know why I’m being chased.”
“It doesn’t matter. As I said, it was preordained that I would meet you. So it must have been preordained that you will be my bride. All I need to do is have a little patience.”
“I …..,”
“Then let’s talk about this again later. For now, the priority is to get out of the Empire and away from the Wanted Order, safely. So, shall we start with this blue dress first?”
At those words, Vendel jumped up.
“Lord! Are you thinking of changing Mr. Radan’s clothes now?”
“Why not?”
“No, seriously! All that patience talk was a lie!”
“Of course I’m serious. My bride is in desperate need of help, so…”
“No, get out. Go on, get out!”
“Huh? Why?”
“Do I not know about you successor Lord! I may not know about the other things, but I know you are quick to undress him! Aren’t you going to make use of him now!? No way!! Get out of here now!”
“I said I’d change his clothes, but I didn’t take my clothes off. And I think blue would suit you well. Radan, what do you think?”
“I don’t care if it’s blue! I’ll help him with the disguise, so get out of here right now! If you’re serious, then act accordingly. Aren’t you supposed to show a bit of dignity and show off that you’re a trustworthy person? Get out!”
“Kik, Kik!”
Zorg quickly climbed onto Ozdin’s shoulder and covered his eyes. As Ozdin faltered, Vendel pushed him out the door.
Bang!
Vendel, who closed the door and even bolted it, turned towards Radan.
“Unfortunately, for now, I think the best thing to do is as The Lord says. I think you should put on the women’s clothing, is that alright?”
Radan had a very difficult expression.
“It’s dangerous…… is not it?”
“Well, it will be fine. When it comes to the Gett, there is no need for proof of identity in some places. When it comes to the Lord’s bride, of course, the word bride is objectionable, but in any case, you won’t be questioned anyway. It sounds like an excuse, but it’s the safest way for now.”
“Why are you even trying to help? I…… you don’t know……who I am.”
“That’s because our Lord scion is trying to help you. I’m simply following the Lord.”
“Shouldn’t we stop him…… shouldn’t that be the case?”
“Mr. Radan.”
Vendel approached him.
“I don’t believe in prophecies. However, I met Mr. Radan in the western part of the continent. Believe it or not, it seems that things that are set, are bound to go as they will.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re marrying someone you just met for the first time. What nonsense is that? It sounds like a very bad joke. So I think you should be freed from worries too, Mr.Radan. Whatever we think, or don’t believe, it’s all going to go as planned. If it really was already decided, then it won’t change no matter what you do. So, don’t be afraid.”
“But…….”
“And I assure you, there will be no problem for you. The scion Lord said that he only has money, but in fact, he has more than money. Aren’t you curious what it is?”
Without waiting for Radan’s answer, Vendel spoke quickly.
“It’s luck. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a person with so much luck. Was he not born as the only son of the Gett family? You can’t get any luckier than that! Besides that…… don’t even say it. It’s hard to say all of it. Anyway, thanks to that damn good luck, he hadn’t known anything about hardship until now. It will be that way this time too. Want to bet on it? I can bet all the special allowances I’ll receive, that he’ll get out of here safely this time too.”
Then, Vendel picked up the dress Ozdin had bought and held it up against Radan’s shoulders.
“Ah, Look Mr. Radan, it seems right too. It’s because he’s really lucky. Oh, I guess it’s not luck, it’s experience. He must have taken this or that person’s clothes off many times….. Ugh, pretend you didn’t hear this. If the successor Lord knows, he may ask to reduce my travel allowance.”
Vendel trembled and picked up the accessories.
Radan was still in conflict, but he knew for now that he had no choice but to turn to Vendel and Ozdin.
He had to run away to a very distant place.
Other than that, nothing mattered.
If he had to rely on help from others, he could do it without hesitation.
He will run very far away.
“I’ll put it on.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea. Well, won’t you get up? There you go, that’s right.”
Radan stood up and helped Vendel take off the clothes he was wearing.
His clothes fell to the floor, revealing his bare body.
And Vendel was faced with an unexpected situation.
“Oh, dear…….”
Vendel saw old wounds scarring Radan’s back. The scars that stood out even more on the soft white skin were undoubtedly whip marks.
Vendel clicked his tongue silently.
It was not known what misdeeds Radan had committed, but that whip marks should be enough of a reason for him to run away.
Vendel felt a surge of sympathy and put a dress on Radan.
“Mr. Radan.”
“… Yes?”
“Can I give you a piece of advice?”
He was sincere.
“What’s…… that?”
“Do not fall for our scion Lord.”
“… …?”
He knew Ozdin all too well.
Ozdin was a person who could buy anything in the world with money.
If it was fate, there was a high possibility that it was a momentary game.
Vendel didn’t want to see Radan, who would believe Ozdin’s words and be sincere, get hurt.
That would be too pitiful.
The whip marks on Radan’s wounds were enough scars for him.
“Right now he says he’s serious but who knows what the reality of it will turn out to be. Our scion Lord……is someone who doesn’t know what love is. He’s never cared for people or things. He’s never had to……because there’s never been a need. And the need for that sort of thing will never arise in the future.”
“…….”
“So don’t believe it. This is my sincere advice.”
Radan nodded slowly.
“…… Yes. Okay.”
With Vendel’s help, Radan became a woman.
A long dress that covered from his neck to his toes, and a veil with ornate headdresses tightly concealed Radan’s sins.
r. Radan, obviously there is not even the slightest need for you to listen to the successor Lord’s crazy talk.”
Vendel was desperate.
In fact, he wasn’t interested in who Radan was.
He didn’t believe in prophecies, he only came to the western continent because of the special benefits he was promised, and because it was obvious that Ozdin’s efforts were in vain.
He felt sorry for Ozdin, who had truly believed the words of the wandering seer that had suddenly appeared out of the blue seven years ago. So he thought he would be consoling Ozdin when ‘Radan’ didn’t appear.
But truly, just as predicted, ‘Radan’ was there.
Now, this poor man has become ‘Radan’.
It was pitiable, this man nearly died after drowning, lost his memory, and the person who saved his life turned out to be a pervert who asked him to marry him in return.
Vendel said sincerely.
“Our successor Lord, have you not realized that there is something very strange about your situation. You have so much money and good looks on top of that, yet you’re still unmarried. Do you know why that is?”
“…… no.”
“It’s because, despite your exceptional good looks and abundant wealth, you’re an unacceptable weirdo¹! You have no common sense, you show no consideration, and you never listen to anyone! It means you’re an aristocrat² who believes that the entire world revolves around him. To marry this kind of person!? And two men too! Without a doubt, never, never even consider such a thing. You’ll do this until to your heart’s content, and then you’ll abandon him wretchedly on a whim. No, think about it using common sense. To get married to someone who doesn’t know their own face! Does that make sense?”
Radan spoke with difficulty.
“If I go to Amboia…… does that mean we have to get married?”
“No! Of course not, but our scion Lord is a nobleman, so he will insist on it! Please consider this carefully. Amboia is very far away. If you have a family here who is desperately looking for you Mr. Radan…… then what then? Mr. Radan, isn’t it more important for you to recover your memories than to go to Amboia?”
“… …”
Radan did not readily answer and fiddled with his blindfold instead.
Vendel looked at his pitiful figure.
He didn’t understand.
In truth, he should be suspicious of Radan too. They did not know who Radan was. They didn’t even know if he really was a prophetic figure. Maybe it was just a coincidence. But why does he feel such pity when he looks at Radan?
Vendel had been with the Gett⁴ for a long time, and he was accustomed to seeing people through the eyes of a tradesman. The priority was to determine how much profit or loss the opponent would bring.
But it was impossible with Radan.
When he looked at him, his heart moved first, and he retreated without realizing it.
He wanted to take care of him if possible. He wanted to do right by him.
So it made it even more impossible to trust Ozdin’s proposal.
Fundamentally speaking, Ozdin is an emotional person who acts impulsively, he probably felt it much more intensively than Vendel did. However, that’s only a feeling, and it’s not what love is.
It was a foolish thing to believe that the momentary feelings would last for a long time, let alone support what married men did to each other.
Ozdin was definitely the type of man who would say within a few days, “After all, I like women. I’m sorry, but let’s pretend marriage didn’t take place. Don’t worry, I’ll give you plenty of money.”
“I think it will be frustrating with his blindfold. Since the Seer said openly that he didn’t know who he was, would he even need to use it if he isn’t the prophesied person?
“Oh, it’s okay.”
Radan’s reply was very firm for a man who lost his memory and was confused.
“Isn’t it uncomfortable?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Vendel shook his head in regret.
“Well then…… maybe he’s been using it for a while. Perhaps Mr. Radan is blind or something like that. However, aside from that, you have to find your family. And we have to figure out why Mr. Radan fell into the river.”
“It’s okay if I don’t know.”
It was a resolute answer.
After hearing Vendel’s words, Radan became more determined.
He didn’t remember, but his heart knew.
That he must leave, and go far away.
Everything else didn’t matter. Perhaps there was something so painful that he didn’t want to think about it again.
So it was okay to forget.
“I’m sure you’re aware that marriage..….doesn’t make sense. So Mr. Ozdin should think about it more”
“Woah, that’s not necessary.”
Suddenly, Ozdin’s voice was heard and Vendel jumped from his seat.
It had been less than an hour since Ozdin went out to do business. Before taking Radan to Amboia, he had to inquire about the whereabouts of the Prophet Hadir. Usually, it was Vendel who would be the one taking care of that, but today Ozdin was motivated and decided to do it on his own.
How could he stab him in the back³ as soon as he left him alone? As expected, he was truly unbelievable!
“Did you take care of all of your business? What about the Doctor?”
Ozdin ignored Vendel’s words and came to the bedside where Radan was lying.
“Kik-kik.”
Zorg, who was riding on Ozdin’s shoulder, quickly approached and fell into Radan’s arm.
“This guy. Coveting my bride. I can’t tolerate that.”
Ozdin grabbed Zorg and threw him at Vendel. Zorg rebelled against it, Screeching, and Vendel wrinkled his nose.
“Do not use it as a pretext for animal cruelty!. Aren’t you just getting back at Zorg for chewing your nails yesterday?”
“I mean it.”
Ozdin looked so serious that Vendel was even more surprised.
“Um, yes? I beg your pardon?”
“You seem to think that I will change my mind over time, but that won’t happen, because I’m serious.”
Vendel opened his mouth.
Zorg was beside Vendel and mimicked his expression.
“….. So, what about the monkey?”
“In a bad mood.”
”…….”
The reason Vendel was surprised was that Ozdin had a really serious expression on his face. It was very rare for him to come out like this, without a smirk and with a serious disposition.
“Radan.”
“…… Yes.”
The sound of Ozdin’s call made Radan nervous.
“I am serious. The only thing you have to worry about in our fate is whether you can be true-hearted. Do you know what I’m talking about?”
“No…… sorry.”
Radan didn’t know who Ozdin was.
He thought he was a good man, but he knew that marriage was a different matter altogether.
“Um, that’s too decisive. Then should I say this? You must be my bride, right now.”
Vendel sighed.
“Successor Lord! Oh, really now! Please listen to what others have to say, alright? The way ordinary people think, including Mr. Radan, is very different from your weird ways of thinking! For a man whose body is still weak, this is nothing short of thug tactics, alright!”
Ozdin wasn’t playing around.
While trying to inquire about the whereabouts of the Prophet Hadir, he received unexpected news.
“The Imperial Army is roaming the streets. The atmosphere is different from three days ago. They said they were looking for someone.”
“What? No, so what about the Imperial Army? Their war has nothing to do with Amboia anyway. In the wake of war, the supply chain will become more and more important. No one on this continent would harm a person from the Gett unless they were an idiot.”
His emotions were like a shallow stream and were near the surface as he looked at Radan.
“He said that his eyes can’t be seen. A nineteen-year-old boy with dark hair, and may also be wearing a blindfold. He said that his eyes should be covered, but that his beautiful face is beautiful.”
“Uh, that…… that…… ?”
Vendel and Zorg’s mouths opened as they looked at Radan. Only a fool wouldn’t know what Ozdin was talking about.
Radan was the person the Imperial Army was looking for.
“The bounty is enormous. He must have committed some terrible crime. Everyone is desperately looking for him. The ‘Wanted Order’ has been spread throughout the entire continent under Ibeden’s domination. What I mean is, it’s not just here, but everywhere else as well.”
His body stiffened.
Radan didn’t say anything and just exhaled.
“So did he run away from the Imperial Army and fall into the river?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Radan. Do you remember what you did?” asked Vendel.
“I’m…… ”
Radan, who had been trying to say something, gave up and dropped his head.
He didn’t remember why.
He couldn’t remember anything from before to even make up any excuses.
He wanted to run away.
There was a reason he wanted to run away.
It must be such a great and heavy burden, something so egregious to make him want to forget his past.
Radan could not deny anything at all.
“Well, this is truly a problem. No matter how influential the Gett merchants may be, it won’t be enough to cover up for a criminal wanted by the Empire. What can we do about this?”
Vendel’s difficult words reached his ears. Radan thought it was time to part with them.
Although he couldn’t accurately estimate what the Imperial Army searching for him would be like, he knew that it would be impossible for him to continue accompanying them.
“Then I’m going to……,”
Ozdin cut Radan’s words off.
“So in conclusion, you are going to be my bride.”
“…..What? No, are you going to keep going on about that?”
“There is no other way.”
Ozdin started placing things on Radan’s lap.
“Clothes, wigs, shoes, jewelry. This will make you the perfect bride.”
Vendel looked at Ozdin, and Zorg tapped his forehead with his tiny hand.
“So, you’re going to have Mr. Radan disguise himself as a woman to deceive the Imperial Army? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Isn’t that perfect? I get a bride, and Radan gets to leave the continent safely. That is why we are destined to be.”
“Don’t continue to attach that to it, please. However, that’s, um……I mean, it doesn’t seem like a bad way to do it actually, however, ….. Uhm. Mr. Radan, how do you feel about it?”
Radan bit his lip.
“You can’t.”
“Ah, I knew it. Cross-dressing is too repugnant. Please forgive The Lord for his short-sightedness. I’m sure he was just excited to have an excuse to buy this and that. You don’t have to consider it. Truly.”
That wasn’t the reason.
“You don’t know….. what crimes I have committed. I don’t know either. I mean…”
“That’s not a reason.”
Ozdin interrupted Radan.
He approached with great strides and grabbed Radan’s hand. He rummaged through his pocket with his other hand, pulled out a ring with a sparkling sapphire, and placed it on Radan’s finger.
It was a ring so large that it was heavy on his finger.
Ozdin put on the ring that looked like something out of a fairy tale book and kissed it when it was on his finger.
It was a ridiculously chivalrous attitude. So it was hard to tell if it was a joke or the truth.
“I’m not such a terrible man that I cannot tolerate my bride’s past. You must believe in your destiny a little more.”
Ozdin let go of Radan’s hand. He winked towards the blindfolded Radan.
“And I want to believe that you are also a generous bride as well. Could you put up with this ugly ring a little bit longer? It’s the only thing available in a small town marketplace. I promise you, if you go to Amboia, I will give you the best ring in the world.”
“… ….”
Radan shrugged the hand that Ozdin had held. The unreasonably heavy ring held an unfamiliar weight. It was the first time he discovered that a ring could be such a heavy object.
“I…….aren’t you scared?”
Ozdin grinned.
“Not at all.”
“I don’t even know what I did…… I don’t know why I’m being chased.”
“It doesn’t matter. As I said, it was preordained that I would meet you. So it must have been preordained that you will be my bride. All I need to do is have a little patience.”
“I …..,”
“Then let’s talk about this again later. For now, the priority is to get out of the Empire and away from the Wanted Order, safely. So, shall we start with this blue dress first?”
At those words, Vendel jumped up.
“Lord! Are you thinking of changing Mr. Radan’s clothes now?”
“Why not?”
“No, seriously! All that patience talk was a lie!”
“Of course I’m serious. My bride is in desperate need of help, so…”
“No, get out. Go on, get out!”
“Huh? Why?”
“Do I not know about you successor Lord! I may not know about the other things, but I know you are quick to undress him! Aren’t you going to make use of him now!? No way!! Get out of here now!”
“I said I’d change his clothes, but I didn’t take my clothes off. And I think blue would suit you well. Radan, what do you think?”
“I don’t care if it’s blue! I’ll help him with the disguise, so get out of here right now! If you’re serious, then act accordingly. Aren’t you supposed to show a bit of dignity and show off that you’re a trustworthy person? Get out!”
“Kik, Kik!”
Zorg quickly climbed onto Ozdin’s shoulder and covered his eyes. As Ozdin faltered, Vendel pushed him out the door.
Bang!
Vendel, who closed the door and even bolted it, turned towards Radan.
“Unfortunately, for now, I think the best thing to do is as The Lord says. I think you should put on the women’s clothing, is that alright?”
Radan had a very difficult expression.
“It’s dangerous…… is not it?”
“Well, it will be fine. When it comes to the Gett, there is no need for proof of identity in some places. When it comes to the Lord’s bride, of course, the word bride is objectionable, but in any case, you won’t be questioned anyway. It sounds like an excuse, but it’s the safest way for now.”
“Why are you even trying to help? I…… you don’t know……who I am.”
“That’s because our Lord scion is trying to help you. I’m simply following the Lord.”
“Shouldn’t we stop him…… shouldn’t that be the case?”
“Mr. Radan.”
Vendel approached him.
“I don’t believe in prophecies. However, I met Mr. Radan in the western part of the continent. Believe it or not, it seems that things that are set, are bound to go as they will.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re marrying someone you just met for the first time. What nonsense is that? It sounds like a very bad joke. So I think you should be freed from worries too, Mr.Radan. Whatever we think, or don’t believe, it’s all going to go as planned. If it really was already decided, then it won’t change no matter what you do. So, don’t be afraid.”
“But…….”
“And I assure you, there will be no problem for you. The scion Lord said that he only has money, but in fact, he has more than money. Aren’t you curious what it is?”
Without waiting for Radan’s answer, Vendel spoke quickly.
“It’s luck. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a person with so much luck. Was he not born as the only son of the Gett family? You can’t get any luckier than that! Besides that…… don’t even say it. It’s hard to say all of it. Anyway, thanks to that damn good luck, he hadn’t known anything about hardship until now. It will be that way this time too. Want to bet on it? I can bet all the special allowances I’ll receive, that he’ll get out of here safely this time too.”
Then, Vendel picked up the dress Ozdin had bought and held it up against Radan’s shoulders.
“Ah, Look Mr. Radan, it seems right too. It’s because he’s really lucky. Oh, I guess it’s not luck, it’s experience. He must have taken this or that person’s clothes off many times….. Ugh, pretend you didn’t hear this. If the successor Lord knows, he may ask to reduce my travel allowance.”
Vendel trembled and picked up the accessories.
Radan was still in conflict, but he knew for now that he had no choice but to turn to Vendel and Ozdin.
He had to run away to a very distant place.
Other than that, nothing mattered.
If he had to rely on help from others, he could do it without hesitation.
He will run very far away.
“I’ll put it on.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea. Well, won’t you get up? There you go, that’s right.”
Radan stood up and helped Vendel take off the clothes he was wearing.
His clothes fell to the floor, revealing his bare body.
And Vendel was faced with an unexpected situation.
“Oh, dear…….”
Vendel saw old wounds scarring Radan’s back. The scars that stood out even more on the soft white skin were undoubtedly whip marks.
Vendel clicked his tongue silently.
It was not known what misdeeds Radan had committed, but that whip marks should be enough of a reason for him to run away.
Vendel felt a surge of sympathy and put a dress on Radan.
“Mr. Radan.”
“… Yes?”
“Can I give you a piece of advice?”
He was sincere.
“What’s…… that?”
“Do not fall for our scion Lord.”
“… …?”
He knew Ozdin all too well.
Ozdin was a person who could buy anything in the world with money.
If it was fate, there was a high possibility that it was a momentary game.
Vendel didn’t want to see Radan, who would believe Ozdin’s words and be sincere, get hurt.
That would be too pitiful.
The whip marks on Radan’s wounds were enough scars for him.
“Right now he says he’s serious but who knows what the reality of it will turn out to be. Our scion Lord……is someone who doesn’t know what love is. He’s never cared for people or things. He’s never had to……because there’s never been a need. And the need for that sort of thing will never arise in the future.”
“…….”
“So don’t believe it. This is my sincere advice.”
Radan nodded slowly.
“…… Yes. Okay.”
With Vendel’s help, Radan became a woman.
A long dress that covered from his neck to his toes, and a veil with ornate headdresses tightly concealed Radan’s sins.
